By Lori EhdeMinnesota Senator Jim Vickerman says the legislature has made big strides this session, but he admits there’s more work to be done.He said the Senate accomplished a major goal for the 2005 session by passing an $886 million bonding bill by a vote of 61-3.The capital investment package could create up to 10,000 jobs throughout Minnesota.Parts of that bonding bill that specifically affect Luverne and Rock County include $306,000 for an Alzheimer’s and Dementia Unit at the Minnesota Veterans Home."I promised I’d deliver that and I’m going to deliver it," said Vickerman, who was instrumental in getting the Veterans Home built in Luverne in 1992.Another $500,000 in federal funding is still needed in order to make the unit possible in Luverne.Also included in the bonding bill is $2 million for the Lewis and Clark Rural Water Project that will bring water from the Missouri River to water systems in southwest Minnesota. "This will improve the quality and quantity of drinking water in southwest Minnesota," Vickerman said.The bill includes $108 million for the University of Minnesota system and $213 million for Minnesota state colleges and universities, but there’s no new money for early childhood education.The Luverne School District may cut funding for all day every day kindergarten, and he replied to questions about state funding for schools."The state provides school districts with funding for half-day kindergarten," he said. "If schools want to provide all-day kindergarten, they must fund the other half-day themselves, either through a special education levy on property taxes, through fees charged to parents, or by applying for special kindergarten funds from the state."The Department of Education has $7 million available for all-day kindergarten for schools that have a high number of students who qualify for free or reduced lunch. "I don't believe that the Luverne school district is eligible to participate in this program," Vickerman said.He said a bipartisan group of senators has proposed a $750 million increase in education funding, which would provide schools with an additional $250 per pupil unit.Although the legislature has made no final decision about how the schools could use this increased state funding, Vickerman said it's possible that some of the additional funding could be used by schools to fund all-day kindergarten."My position is that the state should always give schools more flexibility about how to best meet their educational needs, based upon the input of parents."Vickerman serves in the Senate Agriculture Committee, Veterans Affairs Committee and Gaming Committee.He can be reached at sen.jim.vickerman@senate.mn or 651-296-5650.
